Automobiles can have their baddays at any time; something can go wrong with any piece of equipment on anypart of a car.
Maintenance is one of the mostsignificant aspects of owning a car. However, the upkeep of a vehicle is aconcept that many people choose not to grasp.
A standard thought ofmaintaining a car is that the exterior and interior look nice and clean. Butthe real maintenance refers to what is going on under the hood.
The best way to know about yourcar’s capabilities, is to read the owner’s manual.
“The owner’s manual is the bestway to find out what your car needs and how it works,” said Bill Pedneau, aMeineke mechanic.
“Read the list of scheduledmaintenance to figure out and know when you should take it into a shop to belooked at.”
According towww.auto.indiamart.com, checking the battery and the electrical system, keepingoil in the engine, and changing the oil are some of the required steps inkeeping your car performing well.
“Pay attention to the belts andhoses,” said Jim Fraley, a mechanic at Midas. “Those are the number one reasonscars stop.”
Triple-A (www.csaa.com) has alist of general maintenance guidelines that tell you when and what to check forin and on your car. Based on their tips, lights and tire pressure should bechecked at least monthly. Also, oil/filter changes and chassis lubricationshould be done every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or three to four months.
Under-hood belts and hosesshould be inspected on the same schedule as the oil change and brake inspectionshould be every 6,000 miles or every other oil change.
According to Pedneau, the shop aperson decides to take their car to plays a major role in the life of that carand the amount the consumer spends.
“If you find a reputable shop,or a shop that specializes in your specific type of car, those are usually thebest options,” Pedneau said.
“The dealerships offer goodservice, but the cost will generally be higher.” People should also be aware ofany strange smells, such as musty or smoky odor and burning rubber. Smells andsounds can often be the best warning system for your vehicle. It is always goodto detect problems early. If not, drivers may end up paying more for repair astheir cars mileage increases.
